Cataracts usually do not cause pain

A cataract itself—the clouding of your eye's lens—does not typically hurt. Most people with cataracts notice their vision getting blurry or dimmer over months or years, but they do not report pain in the eye itself. If you have a cataract and your eye hurts, something else is likely causing the pain, and you should see an eye doctor to find out what.

Pain in or around the eye can come from many sources: infection, inflammation, pressure buildup, scratches on the surface, or problems unrelated to the cataract. Because some of these conditions need prompt treatment, it is worth getting checked rather than assuming the pain is part of having a cataract.

Key Takeaways

  • Cataracts cause blurry or dim vision but not eye pain; pain suggests a different problem that needs evaluation.
  • Glaucoma, uveitis, and corneal scratches are common causes of eye pain that can occur alongside cataracts.
  • Pain with redness, light sensitivity, or vision changes warrants a same-day or next-day eye exam.
  • An eye doctor can identify what is causing pain and recommend treatment, whether or not it is related to your cataract.

When pain might signal a problem beyond the cataract

If you have a cataract and develop eye pain, several conditions could be responsible. Glaucoma—a buildup of pressure inside the eye—can develop alongside a cataract and may cause aching or sharp pain, often with blurred vision and halos around lights. Uveitis, inflammation inside the eye, causes pain, redness, and light sensitivity. A corneal abrasion (a scratch on the clear front surface of your eye) produces sharp pain that worsens when you blink or touch the eye.

Other possibilities include a dry eye that has become irritated, an infection, or a migraine that happens to affect the eye area. The point is that eye pain is not a normal part of a cataract, so it deserves investigation. Your eye doctor can examine the eye under magnification, measure the pressure, and check for inflammation or damage to pinpoint the cause.

Pain after cataract surgery

If you have had cataract surgery and now have pain, contact your surgeon right away. Some discomfort in the first few days after surgery is normal—a scratchy feeling or mild irritation—but sharp pain, sudden vision loss, or increasing redness can signal a complication such as infection or inflammation that needs urgent care.

Your surgeon will want to see you to rule out serious problems. Do not wait for a routine follow-up appointment if pain is severe or accompanied by vision changes. Call the office the same day or go to an urgent care or emergency room if you cannot reach your surgeon.

What to tell your eye doctor

When you see an eye doctor about eye pain, describe exactly what you feel: Is it sharp or dull? Does it come and go, or is it constant? Is it in one eye or both? Does anything make it better or worse—closing your eye, applying a warm compress, or looking in a particular direction? Also mention any other symptoms: redness, tearing, vision changes, light sensitivity, or discharge.

Bring a list of any eye drops or medications you use, and let the doctor know if you have had recent eye trauma, even something minor like a poke or a speck of dust. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for the doctor to narrow down the cause and recommend the right treatment.

When to seek care the same day

Some eye problems need prompt attention. Seek same-day care if you have eye pain along with sudden vision loss, redness, discharge, or intense light sensitivity. If your eye was injured—hit, scratched, or exposed to a chemical—do not wait. If you have severe pain that came on suddenly with no clear cause, that also warrants urgent evaluation.

If you cannot reach your regular eye doctor, go to an urgent care clinic that has eye services, or to an emergency room. Eye problems can worsen quickly, and getting evaluated fast can prevent lasting damage.

How cataract surgery might help if pain is related

In rare cases, a very advanced cataract can contribute to eye pain by causing inflammation or by triggering a type of glaucoma called phacomorphic glaucoma. If your eye doctor determines that your cataract is the underlying cause of pain, cataract surgery may relieve it. However, this is not the typical reason for cataract surgery—most people have surgery because their vision has become too blurry for daily life.

Your eye doctor will discuss whether surgery makes sense for your situation. If you have pain and a cataract, the first step is always to find out what is actually causing the pain, rather than assuming surgery will fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a cataract cause a dull ache behind the eye?

A cataract itself does not cause aching behind the eye. If you feel a dull ache in that area, it could be tension, a migraine, sinus pressure, or a problem with the eye muscles or nerves. An eye doctor can examine you to rule out conditions like glaucoma or inflammation that do cause pain in or around the eye.

Is eye pain normal before cataract surgery?

Pain before surgery is not typical. If you have a cataract and are experiencing pain, your eye doctor should evaluate you before surgery to make sure nothing else is wrong. Treating any underlying pain-causing condition first makes the surgery safer and the outcome better.

What if I have pain in one eye and a cataract in the other?

Pain in the eye without the cataract is not caused by the cataract. See an eye doctor to check the painful eye for infection, inflammation, glaucoma, or injury. The cataract in the other eye is separate and does not explain pain elsewhere.

Can eye drops for cataracts reduce pain?

There are no eye drops that treat cataracts or reduce cataract-related pain, because cataracts do not cause pain. If you are using drops and your eye still hurts, the pain is coming from something else that needs diagnosis and treatment.